As part of his farewell visits, COAS arrived in Quetta on Tuesday and addressed officers and troops of Southern Command and Frontier Corps Balochistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported.

“The people of Balochistan have explicitly rejected foreign sponsored terrorists and helped the state in busting their network,” said the army chief while addressing the troops and officers present.

While paying glowing tributes to the officers and soldiers of Southern Command and Frontier Corps, COAS said now that the tide in Balochistan had been turned against terrorists and their sympathisers, and a large number of Ferraris were surrendering, we will continue to work with the provincial and federal govt towards greater security and stability.

He said, as COAS, safety and assistance to civil govt in institution building and development work in remote areas has been his priority which brought him to Balochistan almost every month.

The Army Chief commended Southern Command for managing an arduous task of construction of over 1000 KM long road network in the rugged and hostile terrain by FWO and NLC which helped in the operationalisation of CPEC in a stipulated time frame.

He said that Gwadar port and CPEC would usher into a new era of hope and prosperity for the area with dividends reaching a common man. He also appreciated Southern Command for reintegrating youth by their mass induction into FC/Army, rehab of the earthquake hit Awaran and training of 6000 police officers and levies.

COAS Raheel Sharif also appreciated the improvement in Management of long and treacherous border with Afghanistan and Iran which has helped improve the overall security situation in the province.

Earlier on arrival at the venue, Lt Gen Aamir Riaz, Commander Southern Command and Major General Sher Afgan, IG FC Balochistan received COAS.